We Stand With You – Our Statement and What You Can Do

5/4/17

When the United States House of Representatives passed the American Health Care Act (AHCA) in May, we felt deeply concerned. We’ve listened to the way that the community has reacted to this bill. We recognize that statements like these are, almost by default, extraordinarily measured and carefully crafted, but to be honest: we are pissed off.

Coverage matters. Access matters. People matter. If the US Senate turns the AHCA into law, it could have severe consequences for people living with Type 1 diabetes. The mere idea that, under the law, those diagnosed with T1D should receive different care, is flawed, insulting, and wrong. AHCA makes this problem worse.

The language of AHCA – designed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act – will allow insurers to deny coverage to people with Type 1 diabetes and other pre-existing conditions. The lucky who are not denied coverage face prohibitively high prices as part of the creation of high-risk pools. This bill reportedly puts at least 24 million Americans at risk of losing health care coverage. That includes children and adults living with T1D. In the United States, prohibitively high insulin prices means that coverage can literally be a matter of life and death for T1D families. There are members of our community who are struggling to survive; this bill makes that struggle significantly harder.

If you’re in the United States, NOW is the time to contact your Senators and tell them why coverage matters. Urge them to VOTE NO on AHCA. Tell them that the bill in it’s current form is dangerous – potentially lethal – for people with Type 1 diabetes. Beyond Type 1 stands with you and will continue to fight for access to healthcare both in the United States and globally. Over coming days and weeks, we will continue to cover the developments, provide mechanisms for you to voice your concerns, and centralize and promote the efforts of our fellow T1D organizations. Today we must all stand together and begin a truly important fight; we’re honored to fight that fight alongside you.